VCU ranked as top diverse employer in Virginia
Illustration by Allison Verjinski
VCU is the best employer for diversity in the state and among the best in the country, according to Forbes.
The list, published Jan. 23, ranked the university at No. 40 out of 250 in the country, making VCU the highest ranked in Virginia and the fourth-highest university in the country.
The business magazine used research from Statista, a marketing research company which surveyed 30,000 employers last year. The survey addressed diversity, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age and disability. Eight other Virginia companies made the list.
Diverse employment is part of the university’s Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Action Plan, according to Kevin Allison, the interim vice president of the Division for Inclusive Excellence. VCU is the largest employer in Richmond, with more than 20,000 employees, including the health system.
The university aims to improve diverse representation by providing professional development, leadership opportunities and support for career progression for traditionally underrepresented employees, according to the action plan.
“One of the plan’s goals is to intentionally attract and retain a diverse faculty, staff and student body,” Allison said. “The themes of the plan also ensure that members of the university community create and maintain a living, learning and working environment where everyone feels respected, supported and valued.”
Cathleen Burke, assistant vice president for human resources, said prospective employees are attracted to VCU because of the university’s reputation for diversity and inclusion.
“It is a central part of our mission and everyday work,” Burke said. “We also provide hiring managers with tools to help conduct inclusive employee searches and interviews that demonstrate cultural awareness and respect for those from all backgrounds.”
Some of VCU’s diversity-oriented programs and funding include the Building Inclusive Communities initiative, the Presidential Awards for Community Multicultural Enrichment, the Inclusive Curriculum Development Awards and the Social Justice Fund. All are aimed towards supporting and fostering a diverse university environment.
Nia Tariq, Contributing Writer
